2020 NBA Draft: Here’s Two Big Men Celtics Could Target With Late First-Round Picks

Pending any trades, the Boston Celtics will enter draft season with a total of four picks. There’s been plenty of discussion as to what they’ll do with their top selection at No. 17, but what about their other two first-rounders at 26 and 30?

There’s a good chance Danny Ainge tries to move one or more of Boston’s four picks, but let’s assume the Celtics hold onto at least one of their late first-round selections.

If improving their frontcourt is a priority for Ainge and Boston’s front office, there could be a solid group of prospects still available toward the back-end of round one. I previously discussed the possible fit of Precious Achiuwa, but there’s a chance he’ll be off the board before Boston’s on the clock at No. 17. If that’s the case, the Celtics could elect to take a big later in the night. So who comes to mind?

Let’s look at how Zeke Nnaji or Xavier Tillman would fit in Boston.

Zeke Nnaji

At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Nnaji has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He’s not as raw as most freshman bigs, showcasing good footwork and body control both on and off the ball. Nnaji also is a great finisher inside and proved to have a versatile interior scoring package during his lone season at Arizona.

He’s active and smart away from the ball on offense and has solid mobility for a player his size. That movement and lateral perimeter skill should help him improve as a defender at the pro level. Nnaji’s work ethic and motor certainly stick out, which fits the prototypical mold of a Celtics draft prospect.

Defensively is where his weaknesses come to the surface. Nnaji’s feel for the game on that end is a bit concerning. He has difficulty reading opponents and didn’t show much of a learning curve in that area with the Wildcats. And what about his fit? At 6-11, he’d be ideal inside, but his interior defense has been far from great. If he doesn’t round out his defensive skill set, he could quickly become a tweener.

Despite those issues, his athleticism, motor and length provide plenty of upside. If anyone can make quick defensive improvements, I think it’s Nnaji. He’d provide great length and energy off the Celtics bench, as well as versatility on offense. If he can continue to improve his shot, which many scouts feel confident he will, Nnaji will be a great offensive depth piece and a reliable rebounder.

Xavier Tillman

Tillman is a player who Celtics fans would immediately fall in love with. Whichever team lands him in the late-first, early-second round likely will end up with a major steal. A lot of his game resembles Grant Williams’, which could cause Boston to stay away, but the thought of adding another winner like that has to be appealing to some degree.

The Michigan State product has a great feel for the game, especially in the pick-and-roll. He uses his strong frame to set good screens on consistently-solid reads. Any NBA guard would love to have Tillman as a screener. That frame also allows him to be effective inside. Tillman was very good on the glass for the Spartans, averaging 12.9 rebounds per 40 minutes last season. His feel for the game pairs nicely with his rebounding, as Tillman is a confident passer that can effectively kickstart a fastbreak with a smart outlet pass.

Tillman’s defensive game stands out more than anything. He was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season, dominating inside while also showcasing his versatility on the perimeter with quicker opponents. His basketball IQ fits perfectly alongside his strength, awareness and footwork. Brad Stevens would make great use of his skill on that end, especially in small-ball lineups.

No, he doesn’t have a high ceiling compared to other first-rounders, but his floor is much higher than most. That alone makes him a valuable pick deep into this draft. Thanks to his impressive defensive skillset, his size at 6-foot-8 isn’t very concerning. Tillman will undoubtedly make a very solid small-ball center.

If you can’t tell, I love his game as it stands right now, and even though it resembles Williams’ defensive-centric archetype, the Celtics would still benefit from adding a winning player like Tillman.

Tillman and Nnaji don’t necessarily headline this class’ big men, but they’re two players who will have solid value deep into a class that doesn’t pride itself on depth. Tillman’s defensive prowess and Nnaji’s offensive versatility and athleticism are traits that NBA teams will put to use right off the bat. The Celtics are no exception.